Well known in the region for the massive corn maze they thrill families with each Halloween, Swank Farms in Hollister has another show-stopping crop this summer, their delicious heirloom tomatoes that are stealing the scene at regional farmer’s markets and area restaurants, including The Grove by Leal Vineyards.
“We grow different varieties of cherry tomatoes, beefsteak, pineapple stripe,” said Dick Swank, at the Swank Farms ranch on Tuesday. The landmark farm has been growing heirloom tomatoes since the late 1980s, but in recent years, the trend has really caught on.
“Heirlooms taste ten times better as the other varieties,” said Swank, who later explained the best time to enjoy the multicolored, multi-shaped tomatoes are now – from June to September. Swank heirloom tomatoes are sold at the downtown Hollister farmer’s market on Wednesdays, as well as farmer’s markets in Morgan Hill, South San Jose, Saratoga and Fort Mason in San Francisco.
